28 Jul 2014

River Bandits Win A Pair of Games

By Marco LaNave

HOT-HITTING BANDITS ROUT HOT RODS AGAIN, 9-2; Edison Frias becomes team's first seven-game winner, while Brett Phillips hits his fifth home run in July

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (July 27, 2014) - Third baseman J.D. Davis had his first career four-hit game, center fielder Brett Phillips homered for a second straight day, and right-hander Edison Frias pitched a season-high seven innings in the Quad Cities River Bandits' second straight 9-2 win over the Bowling Green Hot Rods at Bowling Green Ballpark Sunday afternoon.

Davis drove in the game's first run in the second inning on a double down the right-field line that scored River Bandits designated hitter Brian Holberton following the latter's leadoff single. Hot Rods right-hander Jake Faria (6-6) walked right fielder Ronnie Mitchell, and second baseman Dayne Parker sacrificed two runners into scoring position. Catcher Brett Booth singled to right field to score Davis, and when Booth was caught in a rundown on his way to second base, Mitchell scored to put the River Bandits up 3-0.

Frias (7-5) became the first seven-game winner of the season for Quad Cities (19-16 second half, 54-50 overall). But his first two pitches of the game were hit for singles by Hot Rods shortstop Juniel Querecuto and second baseman Kean Wong. Frias escaped trouble by getting a flyout, popup and groundout to begin a stretch in which he retired 12 of 13 batters.

In the top of the third inning, first baseman Chase McDonald hit a two-out double down the left-field line and scored when second baseman Kean Wong mishandled a ground ball by Holberton that got into center field. Davis then hit an infield single to third baseman Ty Young, and Mitchell hit an RBI single to center field for a 5-0 lead. Faria finished the inning but was charged with five runs - three earned - on six hits and a walk with two strikeouts in a season-low three innings.

Bowling Green (14-21, 46-58) reached the scoreboard in the fifth inning. Center fielder Julian Ridings led off with a single to right field, first baseman Alexander Simon doubled to center field, and Querecuto hit a one-out, two-run single to center field. Frias then retired the next eight batters - five on strikeouts - to last seven innings for the first time since Aug. 15, 2012. His eight strikeouts were a season high.

Following Faria, the Hot Rods used right-hander William Gabay for three scoreless innings. Right-hander Luis Cabrera entered with the 5-2 deficit and pitched a scoreless seventh inning. In the eighth, Cabrera allowed consecutive singles by Davis, Mitchell and Parker, who picked up his sixth RBI on the road trip. With two outs, Phillips smashed his ninth home run of the season to right field, bringing in three runs and extending the lead to 9-2. Cabrera was charged with four earned runs on six hits and two walks with one strikeout in three innings.

River Bandits left-hander Albert Minnis began the eighth inning with a groundout and allowed two hits in the final two innings but recorded the last five outs on strikeouts to post a new career high. Frias and Minnis combined to strike out 13 batters without a walk.

Back-to-back 9-2 scores gave Quad Cities consecutive wins by the same score for the first time since winning 5-2 Aug. 2, 2013, at home against Peoria, and Aug. 3, 2013, in Cedar Rapids. The River Bandits last had consecutive scores against the same opponent in a pair of 4-3 home losses to Bowling Green July 11-12, 2013. Quad Cities last won consecutive games by the same score against the same opponent Aug. 19-20, 2006, at home and then on the road against Burlington. The 2006 team also won consecutive 5-4 games in Clinton June 26-27.

Quad Cities has won seven of eight games and seeks its first-ever sweep in Bowling Green at 12:05 p.m. Monday. River Bandits right-hander Adrian Houser (4-4) is scheduled to face Hot Rods left-hander Bruedlin Suero (2-2).

BANDITS BLAST HOT RODS TO WIN 9-2 SERIES OPENER; Quad Cities has four-run fifth and sixth innings to pick up sixth win in last seven games

DAYTON, Ohio (July 26, 2014) - Designated hitter Ronnie Mitchell and center fielder Brett Phillips each hit two-run home runs in the Quad Cities River Bandits' go-ahead, four-run fifth inning, and left-hander Blaine Sims held the Bowling Green Hot Rods to two runs in a six-inning start for a 9-2 win at Bowling Green Ballpark Saturday night.

Phillips, Mitchell, and shortstop Thomas Lindauer each drove in two runs, and seven River Bandits contributed a hit and a run to a 13-hit showing and the team's highest scoring effort since July 11. Dayne Parker had a game-high three hits for the first time with Quad Cities.

Sims (2-2) had his longest Midwest League start and overcame seven walks - matching his career high and setting a season high by a pitcher for Quad Cities (18-16 second half, 53-50 overall). He allowed two runs - one earned - on five hits with three strikeouts. In the first inning, his two-out walk to Hot Rods catcher Oscar Hernandez led to a run after a passed ball, wild pitch and single by third baseman Ty Young. Sims picked Young off first base to end the inning and got a ground-ball double play to end a bases-loaded jam in the second.

The Hot Rods (14-20, 46-57) nearly added to the 1-0 lead in the fourth inning, as left fielder Darryl George hit a one-out double to center field, and center fielder Julian Ridings singled to center field. But Phillips threw to catcher Brian Holberton to get George at home plate for his 13th outfield assist of the season - a mark tied for best in the Midwest League.

Hot Rods right-hander D.J. Slaton (0-1) got ground-ball double plays in each of the first two innings to face one batter over the minimum through the first four innings. In the top of the fifth inning, third baseman J.D. Davis hit a leadoff double down the left-field line, and Mitchell drove the next Slaton pitch to the left of the scoreboard in right-center field for his team-high 13th home run and a 2-1 lead. With two outs, Lindauer reached on a fielding error by third baseman Ty Young, and Phillips followed with his eighth home run to almost the exact same spot as Mitchell's home run.

With a 4-1 lead, Sims walked three batters in the bottom of the fifth inning but only allowed one run on a sacrifice fly by catcher Oscar Hernandez. With Sims on the mound, Bowling Green left seven runners on base, including five in scoring position.

In the sixth inning, Slaton began with a 4-2 deficit and began by allowing first baseman Chase McDonald's double to left-center field, Holberton's single to right field and Davis' RBI single to center field. Slaton was lifted with no outs for right-hander Josh Kimborowicz, who got Mitchell to hit into a fielder's choice before second baseman Dayne Parker hit an RBI single, and Lindauer dropped a two-run single in front of George in left field for an 8-2 lead. Slaton was charged with seven runs - five earned - on eight hits and one walk with three strikeouts in five innings. Kimborowicz gave up four hits and one earned run with three strikeouts in three relief innings.

Following Sims, right-hander Andrew Walter pitched three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk with three strikeouts to earn his team-high ninth save. Quad Cities added a ninth-inning run when Phillips doubled, reached third base on an error and scored on a groundout by left fielder Marc Wik.

Quad Cities has won six of seven games and continues its series in Bowling Green at 2:05 p.m. Sunday. River Bandits right-hander Edison Frias (6-5) is scheduled to face Hot Rods right-hander Jake Faria (6-5).

UP NEXT: The River Bandits are in the running for the 2014 Quad-City Times Readers' Choice Awards in the categories of "Best Entertainment Venue," "Best Family Entertainment," "Best Place for a Kid's Birthday Party," and "Best Place to Take Out of Town Guest". Game tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

28 Jul 2014

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation and Takes Bill Action

By Andrew Mason

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Expand the Holocaust and Genocide Commission; Commission Works to Increase Public Awareness Through Educational Programs, Events and Outreach

SKOKIE - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to expand the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission, increasing its ability to reach even more people across Illinois with its important message. The commission works with Holocaust survivors to increase public awareness of the Holocaust and other genocides through educational programs, events and outreach efforts. The Governor signed the legislation at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie as part of his agenda to ensure Illinois embraces all people.

"It is important that we never forget the millions of lives lost not only in the Holocaust, but all terrible acts of genocide throughout history," Governor Quinn said. "The Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission works to ensure tolerance among our future generations. I urge all residents to strive to overcome hate and indifference through learning and acceptance."

Senate Bill 3129, sponsored by State Senator Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) and State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), increases the number of commission members from 18 to 22, and ensures that one of them is a student. Under Governor Quinn's leadership, the Holocaust and Genocide Commission was created in July 2010. Members consist of Holocaust and other genocide survivors, liberators and other volunteers to share their knowledge and experiences in order to increase public awareness. The commission also holds events to memorialize the Holocaust and other genocides. The new law takes effect immediately.

"This law allows the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission to continue educating Illinois residents about crimes against humanity," Senator Silverstein said. "We must never forget this tragedy. We must work together to prevent genocide from ever happening."

"Today, Governor Quinn signs into law a bill that will protect the future of the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission," Representative Feigenholtz said. "This legislation enables the Commission to keep promoting awareness and understanding of one of the darkest eras of human history."

Illinois was the first state in the nation to mandate public elementary schools and high schools include a study of Holocaust history in its curriculum.

In 2011, Governor Quinn visited Israel to further develop ties between Illinois and Israel, and signed legislation requiring anyone convicted of a hate crime to enroll in an educational program discouraging hate crimes. In April 2013, the Governor proclaimed April 24 as Jan Karski Day to honor a hero of the Polish Underground during World War II who was lauded for risking his life to expose the horrors of the Holocaust to the world. Karski was later a professor at Georgetown University where a young Pat Quinn was among his students at the Georgetown School of Foreign Service.

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Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action **Friday, July 25, 2014**

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

 

Bill No.: HB 4505

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Creates a new license through the Illinois Department of Agriculture for individuals who store, filter, process or distribute used cooking grease for reuse or recycling.

Action: Signed

Effective: Jan. 1, 2015

 

Bill No.: HB 4522

An Act Concerning: Education

Reduces number of contiguous school districts needed to jointly operate a science and mathematics school through a college or university.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 5692

An Act Concerning: Transportation

Creates an advisory committee to assist in the design and implementation of a program for the electronic verification of motor vehicle liability insurance.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

 

Bill No.: SB 0336

An Act Concerning: Revenue

Creates the Community Stabilization Assessment Freeze Pilot Program.

Action: Signed

Effective: Jan. 1, 2015

 

Bill No.: SB 2791

An Act Concerning: Transportation

Clarifies the powers of a designated railroad police force.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

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Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Ensure Quality Distance Learning and Online Education Programs; Also Signs Legislation to Streamline School Financial Processes and Extend Task Force on Civic Education

CHAMPAIGN - Governor Pat Quinn today visited the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to sign a law to help boost the quality of distance and online learning programs across Illinois and other states. The Governor also signed laws to streamline higher education financial processes and to extend the Task Force on Civic Education. Today's actions are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure that everyone in Illinois has the opportunity for a high quality education.

"Attending college online is an important educational option more people around the world are pursuing," Governor Quinn said. "Illinois' higher education institutions have found a willing and world-wide audience for these types of course offerings. This new law makes sure the educational programming offered online out of Illinois maintains the same high quality standards in order to help ensure all students receive a high quality education, regardless of where they live."

Senate Bill 3441, sponsored by State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Crest Hill) and State Representative Robert Pritchard (R-Sycamore), authorizes the Illinois Board of Higher Education to make agreements with other states to guarantee distance learning programs maintain common standards and that completed course work is recognized by institutions in each state. The agreements will also establish a mechanism for handling complaints and refunds across states and institutions. The new law is effective January 1, 2015.

"Governor Quinn's action fulfills the legislature's goal to make high-quality, affordable online higher education available to Illinois residents," Senator McGuire said. "This new law shows what cooperation between Democrats and Republicans and among Midwestern states can accomplish?lower costs for governments, and expanded opportunities for our 21st century workforce."

"Distance learning allows students to take courses that may not be offered where they are attending college or at times that are more convenient for them," Representative Pritchard said. "This legislation offers consumer protections that the courses will be recognized by institutions of higher education, and assures refunds will be made if the student takes the appropriate steps to cancel the course."

The new law will allow Illinois to join other members of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact to make distance education courses more accessible to students across state lines while also making it easier for states to regulate and institutions to participate in interstate distance education. The Midwestern Compact will interact with other regional compacts across the country.  Any public college, university or independent institution can participate and seek accreditation, a designation that will indicate the institution has the "seal of approval" from the participating states for its distance learning programs.

Last year through the University of Illinois, 323,857 students from around the world enrolled in online offerings through the Massive Open Online Courses including nontraditional students, professionals looking to build specific competencies and many other lifelong learners.

By providing a broad range of affordable, flexible options, online learning has great potential to help many people across Illinois meet their education and careers goals. With nearly one in ten community college students taking a class online each year, online learning is becoming an increasingly popular option.

Governor Quinn today also signed two bills sponsored by State Representative Naomi Jakobsson (D-Urbana). Senate Bill 230, co-sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), increases efficiency by saving schools time and money by removing an extra step in the public university vouchering process. Senate Bill 2728, co-sponsored by State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park), allows the Task Force on Civic Education to complete its mission by extending the life of the task force and setting a new date for its final report. Both laws are effective immediately.

Governor Quinn has made support for higher education in Illinois a top priority. At his direction, distance learning is just one of the many strategies Illinois has pursued as part of a comprehensive plan to make postsecondary attainment more accessible to all students. Illinois is engaged in a number of innovative approaches to bolstering college completion including early college credit opportunities.

In Fiscal Year 2012, almost 8,900 dual credit courses were offered through Illinois community colleges, providing opportunities for approximately 88,000 high school students during the past year. The dual credit system has seen tremendous growth with a nearly 125 percent increase in dual credit students served annually since 2004.

As a result of these and other initiatives, Illinois' college completion rate, which is above the national average, has grown to 43 percent under Governor Quinn's administration.

In addition to supporting expanded access to early college credit and career certificates, Governor Quinn has been a steadfast supporter of the Monetary Award Program (MAP) which enables more than 140,000 low income students to pursue higher education each year. He has proposed doubling the funds available for the plan over the next five years to provide 21,000 more students each year with an opportunity to attend college that would not otherwise be available.

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28 Jul 2014

Governor Quinn Welcomes New Class of Illinois State Police Troopers

By Katie Hickey

37 Police Academy Graduates Assigned Across the State

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau to commission 37 new State Troopers during a graduation ceremony at the State Police Academy in Springfield.  The new troopers will begin patrolling throughout the state starting Monday, July 28. Today's event is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to improve public safety across Illinois.

"The Illinois State Police have a long and distinguished history of service to the state," Governor Quinn said.  "Our newest graduates have been rigorously trained to uphold that tradition. I welcome this class of cadets into the State Police, and thank each of them for their dedication to making our state a safer place for all."

"These men and women dedicated themselves to successfully completing 25 weeks of rigorous training to become Illinois State Police officers," Director Grau said. "We welcome them to our ranks and salute their commitment to serving the citizens of Illinois."

Today's graduation of Cadet Class 124 marks the second cadet class this year. It is the third class to graduate under a new law that allows veterans who have been awarded an Afghan or Iraqi campaign medal by the U.S. military to apply without having earned a college degree. Fourteen of the new troopers are veterans, and of these, nine were hired under the new law.

The troopers completed a rigorous 25-week regimen of physical and classroom instruction which included training in Terrorism Awareness, Domestic Violence, Critical Incident Response, Firearms Training, First Responder Certification, Illinois Vehicle Code, Criminal Law, Motor Carrier Safety, Juvenile Law and more.

The new officers have been assigned to the following areas of the state and will immediately begin their patrol duties:

·         District 1 Sterling, 2 troopers

·         District 2 Elgin, 3 troopers

·         Chicago District, 4 troopers

·         District 5 Joliet, 1 trooper

·         District 6 Pontiac, 2 troopers

·         District 7 East Moline, 2 troopers

·         District 8 Metamora, 4 troopers

·         District 11 Collinsville, 6 troopers

·         District 14 Macomb, 1 trooper

·         District 16 Pecatonica, 4 troopers

·         District 17 LaSalle, 4 troopers

·         District 21 Kankakee, 4 troopers.

The Illinois State Police Academy is one of the most respected and recognized training facilities in the country.  Dozens of law enforcement agencies also use Academy curriculum to meet standards set forth by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.

Those interested in joining the ranks of the Illinois State Police are encouraged to visit the Illinois State Police Merit Board website at www.illinoistrooper.com for application information.

 

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28 Jul 2014

CREEKSIDE VINEYARDS WINERY CELEBRATES GOLD WITH 2014 ILLINOIS WINE & MID-AMERICAN WINE COMPETITION AWARDS!

By Jennifer Mital

Creekside Vineyard Winery, while artisan in size, has proved its excellence in the 2014 Illinois Wine and MidAmerican Wine Competitions. In July both competitions release their results, and Creekside Vineyards earned high marks along wineries much older and larger than itself in the state and across the Midwest region. In the annual Illinois Wine Competition held at Lincoln land Community College in Springfield, Illinois, and in the Eighth Annual Mid-American Wine Competition held at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny, Iowa, Creekside Vineyards Winery was awarded the following medals:

WINE NAME VARIETAL MIDAMERICAN IL WINE

Crooked Owl Corot Noir Gold Double Gold

Crooked Owl Corot Noir Silver: Food Pairing Grilled Sirloin Steak

First Kiss Marechal Foch Gold

Sundaze Seyval Blanc Gold Double Gold

Sundaze Seyval Blanc Gold: Food Pairing Baked Trout

Sweet Retreat Vignoles (*sweepstakes nominee*) Gold* Silver

"The quality of Midwestern wines continues to improve," said Bob Foster, Director of the Mid-American Wine Competition (MAWC). These are high quality wines that wine lovers should seek out and try." The MidAmerican competition was held July 11-13 and included wines from 15 Midwestern states. Professional wine judges from throughout the United States awarded 100 Gold medals, 171 Silver medals, and 132 Bronze medals. Full results can be found at www.midamericanwine.org. "This marks the eighth consecutive year of the MAWC and we have had the distinction of watching the local wine industry develop into a great representation of our region," said Chief Judge Doug Frost of Kansas City. "The wine industry throughout the Midwest has evolved into tourist destinations, where wine enthusiasts visit local wineries. This helps the local economy and area wine industry."

The Illinois Wine Competition was held June 16-18 and included 171 amateur entries and 257 commercial entries from across the state. Creekside Vineyards was one of six wineries in the state to receive multiple Double Gold medals. The competition is sponsored by the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association. Full results can be found at www.illinoiswine.com. Bradley Beam, the Illinois state enologist and organizer of the contest, said, "The primary goal of this competition is to recognize the many outstanding wines produced in the state of Illinois. The number of medals awarded this year indicates that we, as an industry, are maintaining a very high degree of quality."

Creekside Vineyards, in 2013 producing its fourth vintage on an artisan scale, is relatively new to the Illinois wine scene and uses predominately Illinois grapes from its own vineyard and other local partners. Winemaker John Mital has practiced viticulture and enology for over 10 years, beginning in Missouri and then relocating with his wife and son to his roots in the Quad Cities. John's parents, Don and Bev, own and operate Creekside Vineyards Inn. Creekside Vineyards Winery is located on Highway 67 in Preemption, IL; its vineyards, bed and breakfast, and outdoor Wine Terrace are located at 7505 120th Avenue Coal Valley, IL. Creekside Vineyards also offers its wines at select Quad City IL retailers; to learn more, visit www.creeksidevineyards.com or call 309-787-WINE. "We hope these results help spread the word that the Midwest produces many fines," comments owner and Marketing Director Jennifer Mital. "We are honored to play a role in this industry and take pride in playing a part in its growth and future success. The best part of the day is knowing our wines and venues add enjoyment to people's lives. One doesn't have to travel far to find a fine bottle of wine or the beautiful vineyard from which the grapes are grown."

25 Jul 2014

WWE Live - Sunday, September 28

By Stephani Nagle

On Sale Saturday, August 2 at 10 am

featuring

WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION - JOHN CENA

DEAN AMBROSE

MR. MONEY IN THE BANK SETH ROLLINS

BRAY WYATT

AND MANY MORE!!!

*Talent is subject to change*

Tickets prices are $18.50, $28.50, $38.50, $53.50, and $98.50 and go on sale Saturday, August 2 at 10 am. Tickets are available at the iWireless Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

25 Jul 2014

Iowa leaders call for EPA action to restore a robust RFS

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

As rumors swirl on RFS, Branstad, Reynolds and Northey call for action to protect jobs, increase consumer choice

 

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today renewed their call for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to restore a robust Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and abandon their proposed rule that would cost Iowans jobs, decrease consumer choice at the pump and increase our nation's dependency on foreign oil.

According to an Associated Press report, Sen. Al Fraken (D-Minn.) said after meeting with White House officials that he believes the EPA will only partially restore the RFS volume obligation levels for 2014.

"While we're encouraged to see the potential for movement from the Obama Administration, we believe they need to act right away to fully restore a robust Renewable Fuel Standard. Because of the uncertainty at the federal level, corn is now selling below the cost of production," said Branstad. "State and federal officials have worked in a bipartisan manner on this critically important issue. I'm hopeful the Environmental Protection Agency will act to protect Iowa jobs, rural development and Iowa agriculture."

"Now is not the time to retreat from a robust Renewable Fuel Standard that increases consumer choice, creates jobs, encourages economic growth and reduces our dependency on foreign oil," said Reynolds. "The people of Iowa and America have spoken clearly, protect the RFS and abandon the ill-advised Environmental Protection Agency proposal today."

"A strong RFS is vitally important to ensure Iowa customers have access to domestically produced, clean burning ethanol and biodiesel.  The law is working as intended and it is wrong for the EPA to act against congressional intent.  I hope the Obama administration will listen to the thousands of comments supporting access to renewable fuels and fully restore the RFS," Northey said.

Highlights of Iowa leaders' engagement on the RFS include :

  • State and Federal elected officials, including Gov. Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds, participated in a "Defend the RFS" event.
  • Gov. Branstad traveled to Washington, DC, joining a group of Iowa farmers and biofuels producers, to testify at the Federal government's only public hearing and met with EPA Administrator McCarthy.
  • Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds, Secretary Bill Northey and the entire Iowa congressional delegation sent a joint letter to Federal leaders advocating for the many benefits that flow from the RFS.
  • Gov. Terry Branstad and Gov. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) pen an op-ed in support of a strong Renewable Fuel Standard.
  • Gov. Terry Branstad brought together a bipartisan group of six governors to sign on to a letter to President Barack Obama, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack expressing their support for a strong RFS.
  • Leaders from across the Midwest joined Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds for their  "Hearing in Heartland," which was open to all interested citizens; 83 panelists from across the Midwest Region spoke from the heart about the importance of the RFS to their livelihoods and a healthy rural economy while only two individuals expressed opposition to a robust RFS.
  • Gov. Branstad, in his Condition of the State address, called on the Iowa Legislature to pass a resolution in support a robust RFS. The Legislature unanimously passed bicameral, bipartisan resolutions calling for the EPA to reverse course and support a strong RFS. View the resolutions: House Resolution 101 | Senate Resolution 101
  • State of Iowa leaders submitted formal comments to the EPA with current data and analysis that provides Federal leaders the opportunity and obligation to revise their initial volume obligations upward.
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25 Jul 2014

IOWA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AND ADVOCATES JOIN EVERYTOWN IN WASHINGTON FOR FIRST-EVER SENATE HEARING ON GUNS AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

By Stacey Radnor
Survivors and Advocates to Urge Congress to Close Loopholes that Allow Domestic Abusers and Stalkers to Get Guns; In 2014, Everytown Worked to Pass Bipartisan Laws in Six States to Keep Guns Out of Abusers' Hands and Save Women's Lives
Nearly two dozen domestic violence survivors and advocates are heading to Washington next week for the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, July 30 - "Violence Against Women Act Next Steps: Protecting Women from Gun Violence" - the first-ever hearing on the loopholes in federal law that allow dangerous abusers and stalkers to buy and keep guns.  These loopholes are major contributors to the deadly relationship between domestic violence and guns, as original research by Everytown shows:
  • In an average month, 48 women in the U.S. are shot to death by intimate partners.

  • American women are 11 times more likely to be murdered with a gun than women in other developed countries.
  • The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation makes it five times more likely that a woman will be murdered.
  • More than half of women murdered with guns in the U.S. in 2010 ? at least 53 percent ? were killed by intimate partners or family members.

  • Over the past 25 years, more intimate partner homicides in the U.S. have been committed with guns than with all other weapons combined.
Prior to the hearing, Everytown for Gun Safety will fly-in nearly two dozen domestic violence survivors and advocates from Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and West Virginia. Survivors and advocates will urge members of Congress to support Senator Amy Klobuchar's (D-MN) Protecting Domestic and Stalking Victims Act (S. 1290), which would protect victims of stalking and dating abuse by ensuring that abusive dating partners and convicted stalkers can't legally buy and possess guns.  Although more women in the U.S. are killed by dating partners than by spouses, current federal law prohibits gun possession by abusive spouses but generally allows those who abuse their dating partners to continue to buy and have guns.
Everytown and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America have made significant progress on this front - in just the first half of 2014, the organization worked with domestic violence prevention advocates to pass important bills in six states that will help keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.  These measures have been passed by state houses with bipartisan support and signed into law by governors of both parties, including both Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.
Spokespeople available for interviews before and after hearing:
Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, is a 43-year-old mother of five children. Watts was not an activist or involved in gun issues prior to the shootings at Sandy Hook on Dec. 14, 2012. The day after the tragedy, she started a Facebook page called Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Since then, Moms Demand Action has grown to include a chapter in every state of the country and is now part of Everytown for Gun Safety. Watts' goal is for Moms Demand Action to become the Mothers Against Drunk Driving of safe gun laws.
John Feinblatt, President of Everytown for Gun Safety, previously served as Chief Policy Advisor to New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. Feinblatt leads former Mayor Bloomberg's national coalition on gun violence prevention. He previously served as the Criminal Justice Coordinator for the City of New York and was the founding director of the Center for Court Innovation, the country's leading think tank devoted to problem-solving justice.
Elvin Daniel's sister, Zina Daniel Haughton, was shot and killed by her estranged husband in October 2012 at the Brookfield, WI salon and spa where she worked. Her estranged husband was issued a restraining order days before the shooting and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm. He found a private seller through Armslist.com. Because the private seller was not required to conduct a criminal background check, he was able to purchase a semi-automatic handgun. The next day he used the gun to shoot seven people, killing Zina and two other women, before he committed suicide. Elvin lives in Illinois and is a gun owner and member of the NRA.
Elizabeth Albright-Battles is an attorney with the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, an organization that provides resources including community outreach, counseling, and training to victims of abuse.
Sara Barber is the Executive Director for the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. The coalition brings together 22 of the state's domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy programs in a joint effort to provide services to survivors and to increase awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Kimberly Brusk had a temporary restraining order against her now ex-husband when he attempted to shoot her with a shotgun in her home. Kimberly currently serves as an Advisory Board Member on the DeKalb County Domestic Violence Task Force.
John Cantin's daughter Missy was shot and killed by her estranged husband in 2009 and John was also shot in the incident. A Manchester resident, John has been an advocate against domestic violence abuse and gun violence since his daughter's murder. He is also a veteran and the commissioner for the Victims Compensation program in New Hampshire.
Bonnie Campbell was elected Attorney General of Iowa in 1990 and served until 1994. She is the only woman in Iowa to have served in that role. She strengthened Iowa's domestic violence laws, increased funding for victim compensation programs and shelters, and wrote what became a model statute on anti-stalking for states around the country. Bonnie was then appointed by President Clinton to serve as the inaugural head of the U.S. Department of Justice's Violence Against Women Office, which was created as part of the landmark bipartisan 1994 Violence Against Women Act.
Sarah Kenney is the Associate Director of Public Policy at the Vermont Network Against Domestic & Sexual Violence. The organization serves as a statewide advocacy and training resource on domestic and sexual violence. Last year the 14 member programs provided direct services to approximately 8,500 residents and responded to more than 25,000 calls. Sarah serves as the Network's representative on the state's Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission, which has been tracking homicides in VT for the past 20 years. Because more than half of Vermont's domestic violence related homicides have been committed with firearms, the organization has been working to recommend and implement reforms that will keep guns out of the hands of abusers.
Marie Kirkendolph's mother was killed by her abusive stepfather, and her sister was shot and killed by her husband. She is now a member of the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence and she works to reduce domestic abuse. Marie advocates for policies that keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.
Clai Lasher-Sommers was shot in the back by her abusive stepfather when she was 13. She went on to establish a domestic violence shelter and rape crisis center in upstate New York. She now lives in her home state of New Hampshire where she continues to work to prevent domestic violence and advocates for safer gun laws.
Christy Martin is a former championship boxer who was in an abusive relationship with her husband and manager for many years. When she told her husband she was leaving him, he stabbed her several times and then shot her in the chest with her own gun.
Sue Meuschke is the Executive Director for the Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence. NNADV works to both reduce domestic violence and to raise awareness about the many issues victims face as a result. Under Sue's leadership, NNADV has played a leading role in statewide efforts to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.
Beth Meeks is the Executive Director for the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. LCADV is a statewide coalition of shelters, non-residential programs, and individuals working together to end domestic violence across the state. Beth works to raise awareness about domestic violence and to discuss the progress that has been made. In May 2014, Governor Jindal signed into effect a law prohibiting domestic violence offenders from possessing a firearm?a bill that was a top legislative priority was a top legislative priority for LCADV.
Suzanne Palmer is Program Director for the Crisis Line & Safe House of Central Georgia. The organization provides immediate resources and services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Suzanne has been an advocate for domestic violence victims for the past decade and supports common-sense gun laws that make will communities safer.
Katie Ray-Jones is President of The National Domestic Violence Hotline, the only national hotline designed specifically to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence 24/7. The organization also focuses on the dangers of firearms in domestic violence situations. Katie is also a member of the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence.
Kate Ranta and her father were shot by her estranged husband in front of her 4-year-old son. Kate had a restraining order against him, which was dropped after his guns were involuntarily taken by authorities. He was able to obtain another gun and followed her to her new home where he first shot through her door. He then forced his way into the apartment and shot Kate again. Kate was shot through middle of her right hand and in the left breast, and her father was shot in his upper left arm and rib cage. He is now in jail awaiting trial. Kate is a national spokesperson for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense In America.
Shannon Rich is the Public Policy Manager at the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence where she helps to provide around-the-clock services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Because the vast majority of domestic violence homicides in Arizona are gunshot-related, Shannon is well aware of the dangers of firearms in domestic violence situations.
Debby Tucker is Executive Director of the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence. NCDSV provides legal and policy training to professionals who work with both domestic and sexual violence victims and perpetrators. Debbie served as Founding Chair of the National Network to End Domestic Violence during the passage of the Violence Against Women Act in 1994. She was the Co-Chair of the U.S. Department of Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence from 2000 to 2003, and was inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame by Governor Rick Perry in 2014.
Ken Wade is Executive Director of the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence, an advocacy organization that provides legal support for domestic violence victims and their children.
Kendra Wyckoff currently serves as Executive Director for the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition. This nationally recognized coalition consists of a network of constituents that help to increase public awareness and community mobilization and provides training and programs to a wide range of individuals.
Valerie Wynn has worked with domestic and sexual violence victims for the past 18 years, and has provided trainings across the country and around the world. Her passion for meeting the needs of abused women and children led her to open The Mary Parrish Center for Victims of Domestic & Sexual Violence (MPC). Today, MPC is one of the largest single-site therapeutic transitional housing programs for women and children in Tennessee. Valerie is also a survivor of an abusive relationship. She believes she is alive today because her perpetrator did not have access to a weapon or gun.

25 Jul 2014

Ballet Quad Cities Season Tickets on Sale!

By Ballet QC

Under the direction of award winning Artistic Director Courtney Lyon, Ballet Quad Cites presents an amazing season of dance with all of the ballets based on historic well known pieces of literature. Come see your favorite tales being danced with beautiful costumes and wonderful music.

Dracula at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, Moline on October 17th at 7:30 pm and October 18th at 7:30pm. You can't go wrong with Ballet Quad Cities' annual fall classic Dracula. This timeless Gothic tale of love, lust, horror and death is being performed in its spectacular, sexy style starring dance sensation Domingo Rubio. A new ballet choreographed by Margaret Huling set to Mozart's most famous Chamber work, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, will open the performance.

The Nutcracker featuring ORCHESTRA IOWA at the Adler Theatre, Davenport on December 13th at 1:30 pm & 7:30 pm; and December 14th at 1:30pm.This well known Holiday Classic comes to life in Ballet Quad Cities' own enchanting production. Lavish costumes and magnificent scenery blend with beautiful choreography to create the most delightful fantasy ever. With live music under the direction of Maestro Timothy Hankewich, this is one holiday production you won't want to miss. Making a cameo appearance, the Quad City Symphony's Youth Choir will be performing during some of the winter scenes.

Love Stories featuring Romeo & Juliet at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, Moline on February 27th at 7:30 pm and February 28th at 7:30 pm. Love Stories features the original one act ballet Romeo & Juliet choreographed by our Artistic Director Courtney Lyon. Rounding out the evening will be a variety of mixed repertory sure to please the entire audience.

The Sleeping Beauty featuring ORCHESTRA IOWA at the Adler Theatre, Davenport on April 18th at 1:30 pm & 7:30 pm. A beautiful princess is cursed by an evil fairy, and doomed to sleep for a hundred years, only to be awakened by the kiss of her true love. Set to the enchanting score by Tchaikovsky, under the direction of Maestro Timothy Hankewich, Courtney Lyon will bring Charles Perrault's classic fairy tale to life.

Season Ticket Price:

$90 dollars regular; $60 Senior/Military; $60 Child (18 & Under)

Check out our website www.balletquadcities.com for more details.

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Ballet Quad Cites is the longest-running resident professional ballet company in the entire state of Iowa and western Illinois, one of only 100 in the nation. Our award winning performances, interactive school and community programs are accessible for everyone. Each year we touch 25,000 people with the amazing, athletic, and entertaining art of dance.

25 Jul 2014

THE DORIS & VICTOR DAY FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANT TO CHURCHES UNITED

By Rhonda Johnson

Churches United of the Quad City Area has received a $25,000.00 grant from The Doris & Victor Day Foundation. This award supports the direct services that Churches United provides in the Quad City Area. We are very grateful for their generosity.

Churches United operates 25 food pantries and 3 hot meal sites in the Quad Cities, and Winnie's Place, a shelter serving women (and their children) who are homeless and/or victims of domestic violence.

Churches United has a 53-year history of reaching out to our community. Its 134 member churches represent 50,000 people from the Quad City Area. For information about services offered, or ways to support Churches United, call 563-332-5002, or visit our website at www.CUQCA.org.

 

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25 Jul 2014

4 Ways to Make Your Wedding Guests Happy

By Ginny Grimsley
The Perfect Wedding is the One Everyone Remembers
for All the Right Reasons

Brides-to-be have long checklists for planning their big day. Dress, flowers, venue, vows, will there be a sit-down dinner or hors d'oeuvres and crudités? Who will be in the wedding party?

"Every bride wants her wedding to be perfect and by that, many mean that they want the event itself and themselves to be absolutely beautiful," says Eric Gulbrandson, a wedding photographer and author of the new book, "Dream Wedding Secrets: The All Important G.S.F," (www.dreamweddingsecrets.com).

"But a perfect wedding is also one that people remember months and years later as a wonderful event where they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Think about it - no bride wants her wedding remembered as a disaster!"

The secret is to put a high priority on what Gulbrandson calls the G.S.F. - Guest Satisfaction Factor.

"It's how others perceive your wedding," he says. "Most brides do want their guests to be able to enjoy their wedding, but they overlook the G.S.F. because all the advice is geared toward beauty and budgets."

Gulbrandson interviewed hundreds of wedding guests and compiled more than 200 do's and don'ts for brides-to-be for ensuring a high G.S.F. Among them:

•  If you invite children, arrange a supervised activity area for them. Couples often include children on their guest list because they contribute to the family atmosphere and celebration, but weddings are not child-centered events. Kids get bored; the wedding day is often a long one with extended periods of sitting quietly and an abundance of adults consuming alcohol. Help parents and children enjoy the event by arranging for a supervised activity area on the outskirts of the reception. A couple of teenaged relatives may appreciate earning some money for overseeing arts and crafts projects and games.  Hiring relatives for this job will help keep the costs reasonable.

•  Don't make costumes a requirement for your themed wedding. Whether you've got your heart set on a Renaissance faire or zombie nuptials, don't require your guests to shell out money buying or renting costumes! Yes, you can ease any financial burden by requesting they wear costumes in lieu of buying gifts, but that doesn't address the potential for physical and emotional discomfort. Sure, all your friends may be LARPers, but if Uncle Howard and Aunt Betty are not, they may not enjoy wearing capes and carrying swords to your ceremony.

•  Don't plan your wedding for a holiday weekend. Occasionally, brides plan their wedding for a three-day holiday weekend thinking it will help out-of-towners who want to attend. However, it also boosts the odds of local guests being out of town! Given that most working people have only two guaranteed three-day weekends a year, many plan ahead for them. Additionally, hotel and rental car prices tend to go up during holidays, and traffic doubles. Play it safe by avoiding calendar holidays and, of course, Super Bowl Sunday.

•  With food and drink, if you have to choose between quantity and quality, choose quantity. Nobody will mind if the chicken skewers aren't the best they ever had, but they will if you run out of them! While taste and presentation are important, having enough food and drink available throughout the event is more important than a glamorous presentation. If you have children at your wedding, you can keep costs down -- and make them happy -- by planning a separate menu of, say, chicken nuggets and macaroni-and-cheese.

•  When it's all said and done, don't ruin your perfect wedding by failing to follow through with that time-honored (for good reason) custom of sending thank-you notes. "Technically, accepted protocol allows guests a year after the wedding to send a gift, so you may be on the receiving end for quite some time!" Gulbrandson says. "Keep a list and send handwritten thank-you's as quickly as you can. Most guests and experts agree that one to three months after the wedding is fine, but my advice is to get on it quickly!"

About Eric Gulbrandson

Eric Gulbrandson is a longtime wedding photographer who began compiling interviews for "Dream Wedding Secrets: The All-Important G.S.F.," (www.dreamweddingsecrets.com), in 2009. As a wedding photographer, he heard many happy guests - and many unhappy ones - and realized that most publications offering wedding advice focused on either making the bride and wedding more beautiful, or planning the wedding on a limited budget. When interviewing guests, he asked one primary question, "What makes a wedding great or not so great for you as a guest?"  He compiled thousands of stories and responses to derive consensus opinions on essential Guest Satisfaction Factors.

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